With everything in the world as hectic and anxiety-inducing as it is, More Than Maybe was the contemporary romance that I needed to lift my spirits. Filled with heartwarming friendships, swoony British accents, and passion for music, this book had me invested from the first page.

Erin Hahn’s writing flows off the pages, and I only wish that I had a greater knowledge of music so that I could appreciate all the references more. Her characters were easy to love yet incredibly complex like most high schoolers, and my heart felt so content watching the story unfold.

Told in a dual perspective POV, More Than Maybe follows the lives of high school seniors, Vada Carsewell and Luke Greenly. Vada is a talented music blogger who dreams of becoming a music journalist, and in her spare time, she works at the Loud Lizard, a local bar and concert hall. Luke Greenly is the son of a former British rock singer, and when he’s not recording a podcast with his twin brother, he secretly writes his own music.

The romance in this story was exceptionally fun to watch unfold as we see Vada and Luke’s crush turn into friendship and then into something more. Their text conversations were so sweet, and I wish that I knew more about iconic music songs and artists to understand all the references.

Erin Hahn’s writing was SO FUN to read. In many ways, it made me nostalgic for my Wattpad days because of all the awkward teen moments and romantic angst. Parts of the story were a little predictable (such as the ending), but honestly, I didn’t mind it at all and enjoyed the sweet moments that we knew would come along.

Most notably, I really enjoyed reading about Vada’s relationship with Phil, the owner of the Loud Lizard and her mother’s boyfriend. We get to explore the contrasting relationships between him and her biological father, and I loved seeing a step-parent in YA be shown as someone who can provide emotional support and not as an evil villain.

Overall, More Than Maybe was an enjoyable read that I couldn’t help but get lost in. Erin Hahn has become one of my new favorite authors, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

I loved the author's previous novel You'd Be Mine so I was very excited to dive into this book.. More Than Maybe was a really fun read--especially if you are a music fan. And Vada and Luke didn't disappoint - despite the fact that they were both scared to admit their real feelings toward each other (and everyone around them knew it all along). All of the music references were a great addition--I found myself searching songs on youtube for my own background music as I was reading. Luke and Vada originally connect over their love of music--but it was great to see their relationship build as they both help each other deal with family issues and expectations. And all of the other characters in the book are a great addition too--loved Cullen, Zack, Meg, and Phil, Such a great ending too! Definitely worth a read!

I thought This book was okay. The characters were all kinda sucky and mean. I usually like books that follow the music scene but I didn’t really vibe with it. Thank you to net galley for sending it to me.

My cheeks hurt the entire second half of this book from smiling so much! Vada and Luke are complex, witty, full of personality, and make this book shine! And the added music references give this novel a special touch. Thank you, Erin Hahn for sharing your characters and music with me!

“Anyway, this is my happy place. Sticky, sour-smelling loud, and crass. These weirdos are my people. We speak a common language of lyrics and chest-thumping beats.”

3.5/5 Stars

Seeing some of the music I love dearly getting shout-outs in the midst of such a great story was honestly a really fun experience. This book is filled with so many great moments and the love of music just fills every page, I consider this a must-read for the young music lover.

This book is about Vada, who basically has her life planned out step-by-step. The job she needs, the internship she wants, the school she’ll attend after graduation, and her future job. All she wants to do is music journalism. She lives and breathes music. Then there’s Luke Greenly, of The Grass is Greenly podcast fame. A modest fame really, his retired punk rocker father is far more famous. He loves music too, specifically, writing it, with no desire to perform it. Ever. If it sounds like these two are perfect for each other, it’s because they are. And they have both been crushing on each other bad. So when they start to talk more for a school project, it’s music to their ears.

One of the cutest and simplest things about this book was the development of the romance. It’s a slow-burn, low drama, and major angst. The only reason this romance takes so long is that they’re just both too painfully nervous about saying anything about their feelings. And over course, fantastic misunderstandings along the way have slowed their progress a bit. It’s really cute and kinda refreshing to read a fairly drama free relationship forming. One that’s really sweet and based on a solid friendship first, and the music they send each other makes your heart flutter. It’s also got kind of frustrating at times, though? As fun as it is, I guess it didn’t always makes sense to me that they weren’t together faster given that they had so little in their way.

The characters themselves are really well developed. I liked the way they both love music and share music tastes, but express that love in different ways. Both writing music and writing about music were equally respected and the fact that they were both fans of one another first is awesome.

I guess my only compliant is kind of a weird one? It’s basically that both Vada and Luke seemed to have really easy access to this industry that is notoriously hard to break into. Like Luke’s complaining that it’s too easy for him to accidentally become a viral internet sensation due to his good looks and charming accent is kind- um- snobby? His feelings are valid and I did sympathize with him, but he’s complaining about how easy it is for him to be super successful at anything he wants is kind of soul-crushing to read when so many people work so hard for this kind of thing that he’s just handed because his dad is famous and has money and connections.

It’s sort of the same case for Vada, although I did appreciate her struggles a lot more. She struggles with money for college which was really relatable. But she is basically handed free tickets to concerts to write about. She gets to take over a significantly successful music blog on her own. And she is directly scouted for her dream job? Like- yes, she worked hard and is definitely talented enough to deserve it, but? Like, of course, she has her life planned out. Every opportunity she could ever want was handed to her by her step-dad. Vada has just benefited so much from connections that she has.

Maybe I just hate it because I have never been able to benefit from that kind of thing. My parents came to this the U.S with nothing and work really manual jobs. Like- I could maybe get a hook-up to be a truck driver, but a journalist for Rolling Stone, ya know?

Which is not to say that Luke and Vada are bad characters or entitled. But they both benefit from a lot of privilege that is really not acknowledged in the book at all. Like- I guess they know how lucky they are, but they don’t really act like it. They focused on their own struggles, which makes sense. Luke doesn’t have many, but I did really loved the progression of Vada’s relationship with her family.

I also really enjoyed the humor of the book as well as the fun plot stuff that kept the story rolling. I feel like this is the kind of book that would make for a really fun rom-com, set to an absolutely killer soundtrack. Truly, this book introduced me to so much new music and make me re-visit old favorites, which only made the whole experience that much more fun!

TL;DR: This book is a super sweet romance filled with so much music you’re ears need to hear! I fully recommend sitting back for a few hours, headphones on, and reading this book. It’s escapist, it’s quirky, it’s funny, and your ears will thank you!

This is the first book I read by this writer. I am really impressed by the amount of music knowledge of the author. The songs and the music theme really fit quite well. with the story. Music fans would love it. The characters are fun and sassy. I enjoyed it a lot. What a terrific book.

Schöner Jugendroman (an der Grenze zu New Adult, 4,5 Sterne)

„More than maybe“ ist der erste Roman von Erin Hahn, den ich gelesen habe, und er wird sicherlich nicht der letzte sein. Denn das Buch war nicht nur sehr unterhaltsam, sondern dazu auch noch packend. Man merkt, dass die Charaktere mit viel Sorgfalt entworfen wurden, denn sie wirken echt. Von Anfang an war ich an dem interessiert, was in ihrem Leben vorging. Ihre Zweifel, ihre Pläne, ihre Emotionen usw. wirkten nicht konstruiert, sondern ganz natürlich und als müsste alles genau so sein, wie sie im Buch beschrieben wurden.

Die Liebesgeschichte entwickelt sich langsam und das Tempo hat perfekt zu den Charakteren gepasst. Es war schön mal wieder einen Roman zu lesen, in dem ein eher introvertierter Charakter sich selbst treu bleiben darf und sich alle Charaktere generell treu bleiben dürfen.

Klar gibt es im Buch auch ein paar Schwierigkeiten zwischen den Hauptcharakteren, die Überwunden werden wollen, aber für mich wirkte nichts aufgesetzt oder zu übertrieben. Gut gefallen hat mir auch, dass neben den beiden Hauptcharakteren auch die Nebencharaktere interessant waren. Sie waren mehr als bloße Statisten.

Da mir an dem Buch fast alles gefallen hat und ich beim Lesen eine sehr gute Zeit hatte, gebe ich ihm 4,5 Sterne

Well DANG that was good. One of my favorite ARCs yet. I completely devoured this one.

Strong intimate character writing, solid dynamics, a lovely slow burning big first love.

Fans of music will adore this.

It would be better if there were brown humans. and even more queer but the gay couple was super cute so that was Funnn:).

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You’ll want this one.

“A smorgasbord of goodness. This is the type of story, the type of writing that you long for in a book.”

Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

My Thoughts
“Is it possible to never grow tired of talking to a person.”

Erin Hahn, More Than Maybe
May I counter with: is it possible to never grow tired of reading this book?

I’ll answer my own question. Absolutely not.

More Than Maybe is a soundtrack I never want to stop listening to. Hahn wrote her own lyrics so masterfully that each chapter is its own delicious song, waiting to be discovered and felt as music so often should be.

Hahn creates these very real, very personal moments that speak to readers. Both Vada and Luke have their own private demons. For Vada, her father, and for Luke, his father’s expectations.

But with music, these two connect on a plane of consciousness not everyone gets to experience. Vada and Luke happen upon each other as if by fate or destiny or chance where life wove their songs together in perfect harmony.

And it’s not only Vada and Luke’s story that you swoon over. It’s everything. The dialogue is charming and witty. The prose are as engaging as the musical references made between Vada and Luke. Plus, Dear Readers, every time those two dropped a song to the other via text message, I googled the lyrics to every. single. song.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with these two (and the story) a little bit more because of it. Hahn wraps up some of the best music over the past fifty years like a gift and makes each song relevant to these two incredible teenagers.

I’m so glad my own kids will have an opportunity to read this novel and discover Vada and Luke’s story. Because Vada Carsewell makes me want to obsess about music and Luke Greenly has me appreciating the beauty of falling in love.

Is it possible to have so many positive feels and not know what to do with them all? Except maybe hug this book and read it again. And again. And again. Because I’m crazy about More Than Maybe. After reading the opening line, I knew I was going to Love it!

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

This is the story of Vada and Luke together. That’s it. That’s everything. It’s the bits of Vada and Luke separately that would fit with each other, and then how they come together. The rest of the plot was just the backdrop for them establishing their relationship. Luke and Vada had crushes on each other for years before the events of this book, so there was mutual pining right off the bat and they skipped the meet cute stage, which I thought was different but a bonus, because it lacked the instalove aspect. And Vada and Luke just seemed to fit right together? Like, who other two people had this exact way of communicating through songs and gathering the message the other sent them from just that song exactly in the way the sender intended it? I hate the idea of “perfect for each other” but oof they definitely fit together in a very particular way.

I therefore liked the way their relationship developed and how all the other characters knew they were “dating” right from the beginning even when they themselves were pretending they didn’t have crushes on each other and didn’t know that the other had feelings for them and were in denial. I love Vada’s strong character and Luke’s relatable “i am a high-functioning introvert in a world of extroverts” vibe.

While Vada and Luke had different ways of expressing themselves, sometimes I wouldn’t realize who was narrating for a bit into a chapter and then get a jolt when it solidified, especially when it started out with their texts and then went into the narration. (Yes, the top of the chapter said it, but I kept not paying attention to that, sue me.) I will say that Vada had a stronger and more distinct voice than Luke.

I liked the supporting characters! They didn’t have an especial depth to them, since this was so fully focused on what was going on between Vada and Luke, but they were fun and interesting and, importantly, I could pick them apart from each other! I loved the Zack dynamic where he was one twin’s best friend and the other’s boyfriend and how Luke is both Zack and Cullen’s confidante. I also liked Zack and Cullen together a lot, and also Cullen and Luke together and their relationship as twins. Meg is such an interesting personality and I wish we got more of her. Kazi and Ben were also distinct, even as they were simply background figures.

I loved Phil and his role as Vada’s father even before he married her mother, and how he’s always been there even when Marcus wasn’t, and how Phil tried not to be too hard on Marcus for Vada’s sake and tried to keep Vada away from Marcus as much as possible. I LOVED the scene where Vada collapsed into tears and Phil made it as clear as possible that he wasn’t leaving because she was crying and that he in fact wanted to stay, and how this was such a stark contrast to Marcus.

The plot outside of Luke and Vada’s relationship seemed a little… background? Like, I wasn’t scared for the Loud Lizard; I knew Luke would do the singing gig as soon as (Not) Warren backed out; the showcase, despite being important at the beginning, was barely a blip; Vada’s Rolling Stone magazine thing was sure to work out, and it was focused on barely at all for how important it purportedly is to Vada. However, the book just had this feel to it where we knew this was about Luke and Vada in their own world together and it’s okay that everything else seems like a fuzzy little background dream; a watercolor backdrop for the soft, healthy love story that is Luke and Vada.

However, there were soft things within the tropes that were Different that I noticed appreciated. I liked how Luke stuck with his gut and knew himself and didn’t perform at the showcase because he didn’t want to, and was still uncomfortable with performing even after the Loud Lizard fundraiser, and refused to do anything with performing after that. He didn’t somehow magically “get over his fear” or whatever - he stuck to his convictions and didn’t. I also liked how Luke and Vada, after their tropey rom-com “falling-out” or whatever, just needed a night to cool down more or less but neither hated the other and they knew it was an accident and still loved each other. I also liked how both of them had an established knowledge of each other and crush on each other before the events of the book instead of an instalove meet-cute.

Also! Consent! We love to see it! Asking if you can kiss someone before you do it IS sexy, actually!

A small thing, but an important one, in my opinion: There was a chapter/scene that started with an active shooter drill, and the author somehow captured *exactly* the uncanny, specific feel that comes with an active shooter drill, and I legit had to stop reading and put the Kindle down and breathe for a moment because ugh. That’s how it feels and I feel like adults don’t understand that. They don’t understand how it is for kids and teens to go through that, what it does on our psyche.

Another small thing, but I liked Vada’s relationship to religion and Christianity and how it was just a normal thing for her to be questioning and playing with faith, and how her relationship with both her father and mother has influenced this, and how Meg is very religious and yet she and Vada are still best friends, and how Vada would like to believe but doesn’t quite know if she’s there yet. It was another thing I don’t usually see in books, especially YA contemporary, that are authentic parts of teens’ lives.

In summary: This was really an excellent book, especially if you want something soft and easy with a solid writing style that flows well and has a solid, well-written romance plot over the top but complicated knots of feelings (and well-written real-teenager feelings) underneath. I really enjoyed it for reasons I’m not even sure of.

Even though it’s the second book that this author has published, More than Maybe was the first one I read of her and I can absolutely say that You’d be Mine is currently top priority in my TBR.

This book had everything I could dream of and more. I related so much to the pace of the love story, as well as the awkwardness that there might be when you have a crush on someone you consider a friend. Both of the main characters were painfully relatable to my high school self, and it brought me back to some great memories. If it wasn’t for work, i would have definitely finished this book in one sitting because I wanted to know what was happening next.

Things that I like that you might like too:
- One character has a podcast where they talk about everything
- Everyone seems to be as obsessed with music as I am (I mean, look at the cover)
- Sexy British accent person/people
- Great supporting characters!
- Great/Relatable family dynamic
- THE BEST PLAYLIST THAT YOU CAN FIND ON SPOTIFY

I loved this book!! It had all of the angst and excitement of young love and young people excited about their futures and possibilities! The characters were well developed, the story was believable and the writing was superb!

I fell in love with Erin Hahn's writing when I read her debut novel You'd Be Mine. So, when I heard that More Than Maybe was coming out, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it and see what Erin Hahn brought to us in her Sophomore novel. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. More Than Maybe is a sweet and swoon-worthy young adult novel. I found this story easy to connect with. I was reminded of simpler times and the sweetness of young love.

Erin Hahn gave us addictive writing and amazing characters in More Than Maybe. Yes, Luke and Vada had some insta-love going on, but it totally worked. You could feel the connection between the two of them and it was clear as day that these two were destined for one another. 

I really enjoyed More Than Maybe and I loved getting swept up in the story this author created. It was fun. It was sweet. It was swoon-worthy. I just loved the music and the refreshing story-line. If you're looking for a light-hearted young adult romance, then look no further. I hope you'll check out More Than Maybe and that you will fall in love with these characters just as I have.

This was not my first Erin Hahn novel, and I was pumped to be reading it so soon after reading You’d Be Mine. Hahn’s writing style felt natural to me; the reading was easy, so the story flowed and built itself around me. I lost time due to this book, finishing all 336 pages within 24 hours.

Both Luke and Vada are involved in the music world somehow. Vada writes a music review blog and words in a music venue-slash-bar. Luke’s father is a retired, but legendary punk rocker. Their love of music is something they bond and flirt over. With each song referenced and texted between the two of them, my smile grew wider. Do Erin Hahn and I have the same taste in music or did we just grow up on the same songs? Maybe a little of both?

While I identified with their taste in music, I did not see myself in their characters in any other way. Vada was counting down the days left in her high school career and had her whole future mapped out, which was, essentially, the total opposite of me. Luke rejects the possibility of capitalizing on his father’s fame, preferring to write his songs in secret. He’s described in the beginning as not speaking much, letting his twin brother do more of the talking. Okay, so in retrospect, I guess I did relate to Luke on another aspect only because he’s very introverted, as am I. That’s me, listening and processing more of the conversation than contributing. Oops.

Other than their mutual love of music, the pair have quite a bit in common, including having a crappy family member that gets in their way. I can’t disclose anything else without going into spoiler territory. The romance in this novel is not instantaneous or in your face. It’s fluffy in all the right ways and you can’t help but root for them. There are, of course, problems that come up to threaten their careers and futures together. The other events that move the plot mostly hold up. Remember, this is YA – suspend your disbelief when things get a little too dramatic.

It doesn’t tug at your heartstrings or anything, but it should make you feel good. And if you’re like me, listen to the songs in the novel over and over again, because the author has created a Spotify playlist containing all of the songs!

I gave this one 5/5 stars. Again, it had a few issues, but not enough to dock it a star. YA gets a little more freedom and leniency from me on the cheese-factor (read: fully fleshed lyrics to songs, aka one of Kacie’s pet peeves). More Than Maybe was supposed to come out on May 12, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19, its publication date has been pushed to July 21, 2020. You can pre-order it on Hahn’s website or from your favorite bookseller.

One of the best feelings in the world is discovering a new band that you absolutely click with. There’s nothing like finding that new sound and just diving into their discography. For me, most of my music recommendations come from much more hip friends, but for the first time I have a brand-new playlist from just reading a book. More Than Maybe is an ode to good music – the characters send it to one another, hang out in a dive bar music venue, and one of the leads was raised by an ex punk rocker. Music emanates from the absolute soul of this book and I’m happy to say that not only is the book phenomenal, but you’ll get a very, very good playlist out of it.

Right off the bat it doesn't take long to get into this book - the plot picks up pretty much right away. This quick pace is maintained throughout the whole book – there were no slow parts and that made the plot very immersive. I had never read a book by Erin Hahn before and so I wasn't quite sure what to expect stylistically, but I was very pleased with her writing and her style. She uses some writing cliché devices such as showing characters text messages to one another, but she never overuses those them. She also used alternating points of view, which really helped me get to know both of the lead characters and understand what music really meant to each of them. For example, I don't think I would have understood Luke if I hadn't had his POV; he probably would have come off as the ungrateful child of a famous rocker.

A make or break part of every book is the characters – and in More Than Maybe the characters were top notch. Even the ones that you just despised at times (i.e. Vada’s dad) - were all thoughtfully put together and helped move the story forward in their own ways. Even Luke's father, who was trying to pressure Luke into pursuing music (when Luke had been very clear that he did not want to perform), was a great addition to this book. He made me feel outraged on the behalf of Luke, but he still redeemed himself and became a character that was likable by the end. Characters who can drive this kind of emotional reaction in a reader are some of my favorite characters. I also really appreciate the amount of detail and attention that went into the side characters - they were all crucial to the story, had their own plots going on, and had great interpersonal relationships. I love when a romance also features strong friendships between characters - it's more realistic and makes the main characters feel more well-rounded and secure in their personal lives.

Let's get down to the biggest question anyone has when they’re considering reading a rom-com - how cute were the main characters together? I can happily tell you this is one of the cutest YA romances I've read this year. Luke and Vada initially connect on a musical level - Luke is closeted music composer and Vada is obsessed with the idea of pursuing musical journalism as a career. Their relationship begins as they start sending songs back and forth to one another and it doesn't take long before their sparks start flying. Their chemistry only grows through the book and even during points of conflict it's clear how strong their relationship and compatibility are. If you really want to enhance the experience of reading this book, I'd highly recommend listening to the songs that they're referencing in their text messages. It gives you more context as to what they're actually saying to each other as they tend to send songs in lieu of actual messages during emotional moments.

More Than Maybe is itself a love song to the power of music. Every track referenced is well thought out and listening to them as you read will hugely enhance your experience. Its sweet romance, strong characters, and fun plot really come together to deliver a great YA romance. I know I’ll be circling back and reading Erin Hahn’s first book as soon as possible – I can’t wait to read what she writes next. If you enjoyed this book you might also enjoy Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell or Tweet Cute by Emma Lord. 5/5

As one who loved You'd Be Mine, I was super pleased to get an advanced copy of More Than Maybe from Netgalley.

Right now, we need sugary romcoms and Hahn delivers once again. She manages to create characters who deal with really real things but still have fairy tale romances and beautiful happy endings. Things aren't perfect, but there's so much joy and hope that it's almost better than perfect. Vada and Luke are adorable and their cast of friends/family are dynamic and great in their own right. I highly recommend this as an escape read.

Incredible writing, realistic characters, and music references to obsess over: More Than Maybe is the model example of how to integrate a secondary form, like music, into a book. It is its own character, just as important as Vada and Luke. You’ll fall in love with the characters and root for them through their mutual pining. It really is an excellent book that I plan to recommend to everyone I know.

I love. I love. I love. I LOVE!!!!!!
More Than Maybe is the whirlwind story of: mutual-pining, the complexities of fathers, totally in love nerds, and the magic of music with a considerable amount of Teen Wolf references that had my fangirl heart beating through the roof.
Besides from amazing writing that sucks me in, characters so well written and uniquely developed that I can't help but fall in love with them and plots that make me cry both with tears of joy and tears of deep pain , but it's so clear to me that Erin Hahn loves music and her love and passion for that translates incredibly into the stories that she writes.
I loved this book with my whole heart, its feel good and poetical and romantic and I cannot get enough. Erin Hahn has definitely become one of my favourite contemporary authors and I'm dying to see what she comes out with next.

This book was adorable. I loved the authors writing style and definitely appreciated all the music knowledge. It strengthened the story for sure. It flowed well and was a quick easy read. The characters were full of depth and wonderfully written. The book is full of friendships and relationships to adore.
The two main characters seem to be made for each other. The romance element does not dissapoint. The main characters have a beautiful, natural chemistry and the romantic gesture in the book is absolutely swoon worthy.
The book is very atmospheric and if you're a love of music and sweet YA romance, then this is definitely a book for you!

First, thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

My god this was adorable and exactly what I needed in the world right now. I loved Vada. I loved Luke. I loved Cullen and Zack. I loved that there were both terrible parents and really good parents and parents who learned how to be better parents. The writing was charming and compelling and i couldn't put it down. Sure parts were so predictable, but the drawn out swoon getting you to the inevitable even swoonier ending was so worth it.

I will absolutely reread this when it comes out in May!!